JESSICA THERRIEN

From Imagination To Publication

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Writing World: Books in Barnes & Noble

Today I wanted to clear up one of the biggest misconceptions in publishing. Not all published novels make it into bookstores. I know this thought may seem strange at first, after all, isn’t that the reason you publish a book in the first place?

Think about it though. Can you imagine how big a Barnes & Noble would have to be to house every single book ever written by anyone? Costco sized at least. I don’t know why I never thought of this when I set out to publish a book, but it makes sense. Barnes & Noble is selective with which books are chosen to sit on their shelves. Just because your book is in print and available to order through Barnesandnoble.com doesn’t mean they’ll choose it to be in their stores.
Of course there are some guarantees. If you’re published by the big six in New York, you can pretty much bet your book will have a home in Barnes & Noble, but what about the rest of us? If you’re published by a mid-sized house, a small press, self-published, etc. there is a lot more competition for that left over space on the shelves.

One of the first things people said after Oppression was published was, “Oh I can’t wait to go get it at Barnes & Noble!”
I’d have to explain that there was no guarantee it would be there. Of course people would be able to order it to the store if they wanted, but in terms of walking in and seeing it already displayed, that was something I couldn’t promise.

After discovering how things worked, I wasn’t really expecting to see Oppression in stores, but a month after its release, I walked into a local B&N and there it was, staring back at me. It had fought its way there and squeezed its beautiful book body between two others, amongst the big names in YA. Not just one, but five copies sat proudly on the second level facing out for the world to see.
It was a great feeling to know that Oppression made the cut, at least for that store (and four others here in San Diego).
Thanks Barnes & Noble, and thanks to everyone who has supported me and spread the word about my book! It’s because of you that it has been so successful J

26 comments:

  1. So exciting to see it on a shelf! And thanks for the clarification--I didn't know all of this.

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    1. I didn't know much of it either until I looked into getting published. Glad to share :)

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  2. Well done, Jessica... and the cover is facing out, too :)

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  3. Barnes and Noble carried my books, but they were about the only ones. You're right, there are just too many books.

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    1. Did you flip out when you saw it for the first time? I felt like I was a little kid again...so fun.

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  4. So glad Oppression fought for and won some bookshelf space. YAY!!!

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  5. Woo hoo, look at that! It's because it's suck a great book. I'll have to check mine. If so I'll tweet you a picture. :)

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  6. Yeah, that's such a great book, not suck. I really did love it. damn spelling errors. Teach me to proof read.

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  7. Congrats! That is so exciting. I just want to see my book in a store, any store at this point. B&N- you couldn't ask for better. ;)

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  8. Congrats! I will admit that I looked for it the last time I was at Barnes and Noble here in OKC and didn't see it. That has been a couple of weeks though, so I hope it makes it to our shelves here as well. It really is a fabulous book, lady!

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    1. Thanks Sabrina :) I hope it shows up there...you'll have to let me know if you see it!

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  9. Woo!! Look at it! So pretty on the shelf. If (when!!!) it makes it to Chapters/Indigo in Canada I'll be like OOPS DID I JUST MAKE A WHOLE SHELF OPPRESSIONED??? *snickers and runs* But I wish there was a Costco sized bookstore. I'd pitch a tent and live there, to be honest.

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    1. Haha! Oh my gosh you are hilarious :) I hope it does make it there!! Fingers crossed!

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  10. This is so amazing and such a great, positive story to hear. I can only hope to have a similar post one day. Great work! I tagged you on my blog for the Lucky 7 MEME. Hop on over and check it out.
    A2ZMommy and What’s In Between

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  11. That is SO EXCITING! I hope to have a picture of my book on the shelf like that some day! YAY for you!!

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  12. It looks so pretty there. I hope they don't last long on the shelf.

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  13. Amazing! It looks at home there. I'm going to have to go to my B&N and see if it's there :)

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